Emtricitabine

Brand name(s): EmtrivaŽ

Emtricitabine, when used alone or in combination with other medications, can cause serious damage to the liver and a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, if you use or have ever used street drugs and if you have or have ever had liver disease. Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or have taken the following medications: acetaminophen (Tylenol, others); amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); cholesterol-lowering medications (statins); dantrolene (Dantrium); iron products; isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); ketoconazole (Nizoral); medications to treat HIV or AIDS; methotrexate (Rheumatrex); methyldopa (Aldoril); niacin (nicotinic acid); piroxicam (Feldene); pyrazinamide (Rifater); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); salicylate pain relievers such as aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trisalate), choline salicylate(Arthropan), diflunisal (Dolobid), magnesium salicylate (Doan's, others), and salsalate (Argesic, Disalcid, Salgesic); valproic acid (Depakene, Depakote); or products containing kava. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: upset stomach, stomach pain, vomiting, severe back pain, swelling of the stomach, loss of appetite, extreme tiredness, weakness, dizziness, light-headedness, fast heart beat, sudden development of a slow or irregular heartbeat, deep or rapid breathing, shortness of breath, dark yellow or brown urine, unusual bleeding or bruising, yellowing of the skin or eyes, feeling cold, or flu-like symptoms.Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while you are taking emtricitabine. Drinking alcohol can increase the risk that you will develop serious side effects of emtricitabine.Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain tests to check your body's response to emtricitabine. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking emtricitabine.

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